‘Business as usual’ for Royal Family on Prince George’s christening day

Next week, Prince George of Cambridge is to be christened into the Church of England in a 45-minute ceremony at the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace. As well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and members of the Middleton family will be present.

Although godparents have yet to be announced, many have speculated over who the honour could be afforded to. Princess Beatrice, Prince Harry, Pippa Middleton and also some of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s friends from university have been picked out by analysts.

Prince George, who will be almost 3 months old, will be christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury – Justin Welby – in to the Church which he will one day be Supreme Governor of as Sovereign.

Although the Royal Family will surely be celebrating this momentous occasion at some point, the christening isn’t necessarily the focus of the whole day. The Queen herself has at least two engagements on the day of the christening – an investiture in the morning at Buckingham Palace and after the christening, she will give a reception for the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

Princess Anne will be in Canada at the time of the christening. Despite media reports that she and the Countess of Wessex had been ‘shunned’ from attendance, they are not the only ones not attending. It is in fact only the principle relatives of Prince George who will be present at the service, reportedly kept small to emphasise the close-family aspect.

The Countess of Wessex will herself spend the day performing engagements in Bristol and the south west whilst her husband, the Earl of Wessex, will attend a Breakfast Meeting at the Lanesborough Hotel in London.

On the day of the christening, the Royal Family will travel down to St James’s Palace. For The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh it will be a very short trip down the Mall but for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, it’s a simple walk because St James’s Palace happens to be connected to Clarence House, Their Royal Highnesses’ residence.

We are also told we will see, in the official photographs of the occasion, one of The Queen, Prince of Wales, Prince William and Prince George to show The Queen with the next Kings of England. The last time this happened was in July 1894 when Queen Victoria posed with her great grandson who would become Edward VIII; his father, the future George V and Victoria’s son, who would become Edward VII, his son.

Prince George is to be christened in a replica of the intricate lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Princess Victoria (known affectionately as ‘Princess Vicky’), in 1841.

Kensington Palace say more information about the occasion will be given in a release shortly before the christening – this is likely to include information about the godparents.